Response of bone mineral density and balance performance in post-burn patients with selected Qigong training: A single-blind randomized controlled trial


Author: Eman M Othman1, Rokaia A Toson2

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. Electronic address: dr.emanothman@yahoo.com.

<sup>2</sup> Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Medicals sciences, Aqaba University of Technology, Jordan. Electronic address: Rokaiazain@yahoo.com.
Conference/Journal: Burns
Date published: 2023 Mar 29
Other:
  Pages: S0305-4179(23)00039-6   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2023.03.001.   ,  Word Count: 307  
    Background:

Decreased bone mineral density (BMD) is a common condition after a burn with significant complications that would be a global health problem. Also, balance can further worsen due to burning complications. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the additive effects of selected Qigong training exercises for 2 months to the standard physiotherapy regimen on bone mineral density and balance control post-thermal burn injuries.



Methods:

110 participants (75 males and 35 females), aged 25-50, with deep second and third-degree thermal burns affecting the trunk and lower extremities, and a total body surface area (TBSA) of 30-45%, allocated randomly into two equal groups of 55. Group A has Qigong training along with its standard physiotherapy regimen, and the control group (Group B) has only a standard physiotherapy regimen. For eight weeks, the interventions were used four times a week. The bone mineral density (BMD), T-score of the lumbar spine, the overall stability index (OSI), and the dynamic limits of stability (DLOS) were assessed pre-intervention and after eight weeks of intervention.



Results:

A two-way mixed MANOVA showed that there was a significant increase in BMD, T-score, and DLOS and a significant decrease in OSI in a favor of the Qigong training group after eight weeks of treatment compared with that of the control group. Both groups showed a significant improvement in BMD, T- score, DLOS, and OSI post-treatment compared with that at the baseline. There were statistical significances in the favor of the Qigong training group after eight weeks of treatment (P < 0.001).



Conclusion:

In patients with repaired second and third-degree thermal burns of the trunk and lower legs, Qigong training activities combined with a standard physiotherapy regimen for 2 months were more helpful in increasing bone mineral density and improving balance control than the standard physiotherapy regimen alone.



Keywords: Balance control; Bone mineral density; Physiotherapy; Qigong training; Stability; Thermal burn.



PMID: 38030460 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2023.03.001